Table 2. Pre-PATH challenges, associated requirements of an analytical
process, and the PATH approach used to meet those requirements. Note that some
of these requirements conflict (e.g., building trust vs. enforcing deadlines),
whereas others are complementary.

Decision-making challenges

Requirements of analytical process

PATH approach

1. Differing objectives among entities

receive clearly defined management objectives from policy groups

alternative actions to be evaluated should capture range of objectives of participating agencies

external oversight

prospective analyses

2.
Low level of trust among scientists and agencies; many court cases

build
trust and cooperation through meaningful participation of representative range
of agency and other scientists

process and its scientists should be isolated from political influences, yet focused on pressing decisions

internal structure

internal and external review

3.
Lack of understanding of differences in model’s underlying assumptions